Strategies for the Future of Conservation - Yale University

part one: regulatory possibilities and smart growth11III. Regulatory Possibilities and SmartGrowthLand trusts are not the only groups working for better land use, including landconservation and restoration. Smart growth advocates and traditional planners aredoing so as well, but using a different set of tools – regional land use planning andpolitical advocacy for better development policies (both regulatory controls and fiscalincentives). Traditionally, land trusts have been more opportunistic in their work andhesitant to become politically engaged. As the search for new conservation toolsexpands, however, so do the questions about whether land trusts should considerdoing more with smart growth advocates and the tools they use.Further, as land trusts conserve significant amounts of land in certainjurisdictions, it becomes more and more important to work with existing planningefforts. In some areas of the country, such cooperation has become routine – witnessthe significant swaths of easement-protected land in areas protected from growth byregulation in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and California.Questions considered during this part of the workshop included:●●●●●●●●Should land trusts consider partnering more with smart growth advocates?What are the opportunities? What are the risks?What are the regulatory activities that are consistent with the land trust mission?What advocacy will our constituencies expect us to lead?What activities are “on the edge” and may have negative impacts on thefuture work of land trusts?When are private voluntary conservation easements most effective vs. whenis land use regulation most effective?How can each approach better support the goals of the other?Can we distinguish between geographic areas where the approaches aresynergistic vs. where they may be mutually destructive?yale school of forestry & environmental studies